ACCORDING to a recent Oxfam report, Pakistan hosts 1.56 million refugees — the fourth highest number in the world. Listed with five developing countries taking the lead as refugee hosts, Pakistan has provided a safe haven for Afghan refugees for the past three decades — shouldering a burden of humanity beyond its political and economic limitations. It is this kind of taking on of a far higher share of the world’s burden than those countries with the biggest economies which needs to be remedied. That said, Oxfam unequivocally criticises the world’s six wealthiest nations that comprise over half the global economy for hosting less than 9pc (2.1m) of the world’s refugees at a time when the number of displaced is at its highest after the Second World War. The disinterest shown by Europe, America, China and Japan is shameful. Regrettably, the rising anti-refugee sentiment in the richer economies has left countries such as Jordan, Turkey, the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Pakistan, Lebanon and South Africa to pick up the burden of 12 million refugees.
Considering that more than 65m are displaced globally, the richest countries should not only host additional refugees but commit more help to the developing nations sheltering them. True, many in Europe view the refugees as a destabilising factor threatening the social fabric. Yet, the fact that the global migrant crisis is partially the outcome of the myopic policies of wealthy nations contributing to wars in developing countries not only makes the richer states morally bound to protect humanity but also culpable. Richer nations must be reminded of their responsibility towards upholding international refugee covenants — the right of all refugees to seek protection from persecution. Inequitable burden sharing leads to increased poverty and internal discontent which, in turn, influence regional stability — an outcome developed nations have miscalculated in their bid to protect their own borders. Clearly, wealthier nations must forge global consensus on protecting those displaced because of a man-made crisis perpetuated in large part by their own policies.
Published in Dawn, July 25th, 2016
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